With a flustered expression, Anvi looked at Sneha and replied calmly.
"No... I'm not in a relationship. I don't have one."
Sneha blinked in surprise before lowering her voice.
"Really? There's someone in our class who's really fond of you. He wanted to know if you'd be interested in getting to know him... or maybe even starting a relationship."
Although Anvi was known for being straightforward, she didn't even ask who the boy was or what kind of person he was. She had already made up her mind.
"I'm not interested in any of this," she said firmly. "I don't think this is the right age for me to fall in love. I have dreams I want to achieve, and I don't want to disappoint my parents. Please tell him I'm sorry."
Without waiting for another question, Anvi walked out of the washroom.
As she made her way towards the canteen during the break, countless thoughts flooded her mind.
"Why would they even think of me like that? Do I really look that beautiful? Or are they just making a big deal out of nothing?"
She let out a quiet sigh.
"I know I look good in my own way, but I never expected this kind of attention. In all these fifteen years of my life, this is the first time I've felt so suffocated because of someone's crush. Honestly... it's strange."
Shaking her head, she pushed the thoughts aside.
"Enough of this nonsense."
She continued walking towards the canteen, leaving her friends behind.
A few moments later, hurried footsteps echoed behind her.
"Anvi... wait!" Ishita called out.
"Anvika, stop!"
The girls finally caught up with her.
"Why are you reacting like this?" Ishita asked, slightly out of breath. "If someone likes you, enjoy it a little! Why can't you just think about it? Behave like a normal girl for once."
Before Anvi could answer, Nila gently interrupted.
"Don't pressure her, Ishitha. Let her react however she wants. In the end, it's Anvi's decision. I don't think we should interfere."
Anvi looked at Nila and gave her a grateful smile.
"Thanks, Nila."
Although Ishita's words had irritated her, Anvi chose not to lash out.
Instead, she looked straight at her friend.
"What exactly do you mean by 'enjoy it,' Ishita?" she asked quietly. "And what am I supposed to be if I don't?"
For a brief moment, Ishitha remained silent.
Then, her eyes filled with tears.
"Everything is easy for you..." she whispered, her voice trembling.
The words caught everyone by surprise.
She looked at Anvi and finally let out everything she had been holding inside.
"Just look at yourself, Anvi. You're pretty. Your skin is fair, your eyes are beautiful, your nose suits your face perfectly, your hair is so nice... and you're slim too."
She lowered her head.
"But look at me."
"Every time I look in the mirror, all I see are flaws. My weight... my face... my skin colour... my pimples... I keep finding reasons to hate the way I look. Sometimes I wonder if anyone will ever notice me the way they notice you."
Anvi's expression softened immediately.
She wasn't angry anymore.
She realised this wasn't jealousy.
It was pain.
Ishitha wasn't comparing beauty.
She was questioning her own worth.
Anvi gently placed a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Ishi..."
" Everyone is beautiful in their own way."
"I love myself a lot. Yes, there are days when I doubt myself or even dislike certain things about myself, but that doesn't mean I stop loving who I am."
She smiled warmly.
"And honestly, I think you're more beautiful than you realise."
Ishita looked up at her.
"You make everyone laugh. You're playful, cheerful, and your jokes brighten our days. Even when you're hurting, you still care about everyone around you.”
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"That's the kind of beauty that lasts."
"So don't compare yourself to anyone else."
"Learn to love yourself first."
"You'll see the difference."
Nila and Mishra exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.
A small smile slowly appeared on Ishita's face.
The heavy atmosphere finally began to fade.
Soon, the girls picked up their bags and headed back to their classroom before the next bell rang.
_________________________________________________
Meanwhile...
Somehow, Arnav had managed to get Anvi's phone number.
His fingers hesitated for a moment before finally pressing the call button.
The phone rang.
His heartbeat grew louder with every passing second.
Just as he expected Anvi to answer, a woman's voice came from the other end.
"Hello... who's speaking?"
It was Anvi's mother.
Panic washed over him.
Without uttering a single word, he immediately disconnected the call.
Anvi's mother looked at the phone for a brief moment before placing it aside.
"Probably a spam call," she murmured to herself.
On the other end, Arnav stared silently at his phone.
After a few minutes, he gathered his courage once again.
He dialled Anvi's number.
Once.
Again.
Would Anvi answer this time...
Or would the call go unanswered once more?
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